Margaret Geraldine Walter

WALTER (Rainforth), Margaret G. passed away on Sunday, April 27, 2025. Beloved spouse of John (pre-deceased), son Matthew (pre-deceased), Susan, grandchildren and great grand daughter, and son Peter, Katherine, grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Sister to George (pre-deceased), Mary, and James (pre-deceased).

Margaret always had fond memories of her childhood and family. There were many pets and animals which she enjoyed, include a goat, an Elmer the duck (who ran bases with her brothers in baseball games), a bear cub, and many other animals. When Margaret was growing up, a childhood neighbour said they always wanted to be at the Rainforth house.

Margeret was courted by John in Truro, Nova Scotia. They were married on a lovely spring day in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia. Shortly after their marriage they were transfered to Vancouver BC. Margaret and John planned to stay only a short time. They fell in love with the mountains and the ocean and made West Vancouver their beloved home ever since that long train journey across the country many years ago. Margaret and John and eventually, family, traveled across the country to Nova Scotia many many times.

Margaret graduated from Acadia and then McGill Universities (Librarianship). Having worked as a librarian in Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia Margaret obtained the role of Head of Adult Services at West Vancouver Memorial Library retiring in the 1980s. During her time there, with others, the library would achieve the highest circulation, per capita, of any library in North America. She introduced music and coffee on Friday afternoons, and loaned videos - both firsts for many libraries at the time. In retirement she contracted her services to other libraries and a popular bookstore in Vancouver.

John introduced Margaret to traveling, and she saw many places she never imagined when growing up in a small farm town in Nova Scotia. On her first visit to Europe, John ensured that Margaret was in attendance for the Queens coronation. She traveled on the first commercial flight out of Canada to China.

Margaret enjoyed walks and exploring every corner of Vancouver, with a fondness for Horseshoe Bay. Margaret often said, “How did a little farm girl from Nova Scotia ever get to be in a place beautiful place like this?”

The grandchildren all wished to share their thoughts on Margaret: Margaret, or “Mops” to Michael and Andrew, introduced them to golf, a future lifelong passion for both. Countless hours were spent at the Ambleside Pitch and Putt, where Michael got his first hold-in-one while playing a round with her one summer day. Michael is grateful that they got to share that moment with the person who introduced him to the sport. When Alexandria was young, she remembers playing pick-up sticks on the plush living room carpet with her grandmother. The second grandson named Michael, remembers the endless supply of leona sausage and cheese slices with rye bread for breakfast. Margaret's youngest grandchild Eric remembers her cutting up mangos for breakfast before he woke up and always wanting to wake up earlier to help her.

Many stories have arrived including, “Margaret was a beautiful person and we were so glad to know her. She will always hold a special place in our hearts.“

Special thanks to Coastal Health, Evergreen House, Susan Westcott and her many friends (many who also traveled from back east to Vancouver) for helping her in later years. She supported numerous charities through the years. Donations in her name can go to Covenant House, Union Gospel, St. Pauls Foundation, Canuck place or any local charity you may feel may help others in your community.

At the request of Margaret, a small family gathering will be held in Vancouver and in her home town in Nova Scotia. The family will respect her wishes.

Margaret often said, "you're never alone when you have a book by your side”.

Comments can be left at https://www.dignitymemorial.com